A report prepared by the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEIK) revealed that China has shifted trade routes toward alternative markets following additional US tariffs, creating new dynamics in global trade balances. According to DEIK data, China's export share to the US declined to 11.14% in 2025 from 14.68% in 2024.
DEIK Chair Nail Olpak stated on Tuesday that protectionist policies have reshaped global channels, driving China to establish new trade corridors across ASEAN, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. During the 2024–2025 period, China increased exports to Africa by 25.9%, to the Middle East by 9.7%, and to the EU by 8.6%, with Nigeria, the UAE, and Germany serving as prominent destination markets.
In the Middle East, Chinese exports to the UAE surged to $72.9 billion in 2025, compared with $9.3 billion recorded by Türkiye in the same market. In Egypt, Chinese shipments reached $20 billion in 2025, compared with $4 billion from Türkiye, according to the report.
Olpak noted that global trade has begun to see rising competition over trust alongside traditional price and technology rivalry. He urged Turkish businesses to focus on higher value-added output, stronger branding, and innovation to contend with China's strong position in electrical devices, while positioning Türkiye proactively within the emerging trade architecture.
Sources
- aa.com.tr · 2026-09-29
